Radial Spring Latch Apparatus and Methods for Making and Using Same

ABSTRACT

New locking connector assemblies and telescoping extension/retraction assemblies are disclosed that operate on the natural spring rate constraints of radial protrusions or radially constrained rings as they interact with engaging members to provide the locking force and permit the connector and extension retraction assemblies to be engage and disengaged or extended and retracted.

PRIORITY INFORMATION Field of the Invention

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/638,761 filed on Dec. 14, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a locking apparatus and a method forusing the locking apparatus, where the locking apparatus is ideallysuited for oil field applications such as drilling, completions, and/orproduction applications.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a latching orlocking apparatus including a first member and a second member, wherethe first member includes an inner surface having an inwardly extendingprotrusion and the second member includes an outer surface having aplurality of a grooves and a bumps and where the second member isdesigned to slide into the first member so that the protrusion of thefirst member lockingly engages the bumps and grooves of the secondmember. The present invention also relates to methods for making andusing same.

2. Description of the Related Art

The mechanisms currently deployed during drilling, completions, and/orproduction operations in a well borehole make use of a slotted sleeve asa spring element. The slots of the sleeves may have closed ends oropened ends. These slotted tubular elements are sometimes referred to asspring collets. Devices using these spring collets are commonly used forpositioning sleeves in a predefined manner as an integral part of a toolassembly within a well bore. Additionally, devices using these springcollets are used for electrical connectors where they maintainconductivity between mating contacts.

These slotted sleeve elements do not lend themselves to shifting sleeveelements that must seal out fluids and/or avoid debris accumulation.Additionally, the specific forces required to operate mechanismsincluding spring collets are often high and require a separate shearelement mechanism for initiation.

Thus, there is a need in the art for an improved spring element that canbe operated during drilling and completion operations and is capable ofproducing a seal to reduce or prevent the intermixing of materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a locking apparatus which utilizes anatural spring constant of a protrusion or a hoop or ring engaging agrooved surface to create a latching force of a desired magnitude. Thelocking apparatus of this invention is capable of achieving a higherlocking force, is capable of being stiffer than slotted springapparatuses, and is capable of forming a fluid tight seal for preventingfluid loss or fluid intermixing.

The present invention provides a spring loaded extension and retractionapparatus including an inner sleeve having a distal radial stop disposedon its outer surface at its distal end. The inner sleeve also includes aproximal radial stop, an O-ring radial groove and an O-ring situated inthe groove, all three elements disposed on its outer surface at itsproximal end. The inner sleeve also includes a first plurality of spacedapart, radial detents disposed along its outer surface extending fromits proximal stop to its distal stop. The extension/retraction apparatusalso includes an outer sleeve having an inner radial stop disposed atits distal end, an outer distal radial stop disposed at its distal end,an outer proximal radial stop disposed at or near its distal end, and asecond plurality of outer detents associated with its outer surfacebetween the proximal stop and the distal stop. The inner sleeve isdesigned to slidably engage the outer sleeve so that the first pluralityof detents engages the inner distal stop of the outer sleeve. Theextension/retraction apparatus also includes an outer sleeve engagingmember including a distal stop and a seal mounted in a housing, wherethe outer sleeve engaging member distal stop is adapted to engage thesecond plurality of radial detents. Thus, the extension/retractionapparatus can be extended in two different motions. First, then innersleeve can be extended in a step-wise fashion due to the interactionbetween the inner distal radial stop of the outer sleeve and the firstplurality of detents on the outer surface of the inner sleeve. Second,the outer sleeve can be extended in a step-wise fashion due to theinteraction between the outer sleeve engaging member distal radial stopof the outer sleeve engaging member and the second plurality of detentson the outer surface of the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is insertedinto the outer sleeve by overcoming an engaging force between the distalstop of the inner sleeve and the inner distal stop of the outer sleeve.This force is greater than a force need to extend the inner sleevestep-wise by pushing the inner distal radial stop of the outer sleevepast each of the detents on the outer surface of the inner sleeve. Inthis way, the inner sleeve can be ratcheted in and out of the outersleeve via the application of an internal force either to the proximalend of the inner sleeve (out) or the distal end of the inner sleeve(in). The sleeve detents or bumps require radial expansion orcontraction to activate as does the detent engaging member disposed onthe inner surface at or near the distal end of the outer sleeve, where aforce required to expand or contract the detents and detent engagingmember depend on spring rates of radial detents and the radial detentengaging member, their surface finishes, surface hardness, materialelastic properties and other properties as well as their geometrical orstructural properties such as an amount of radial deflection, a rampangle, and an axial length of detent, and the structural properties andother relevant properties.

The present invention provides a spring loaded extension and retractionapparatus having flexibility for a desired load and for activating themechanism, where the apparatus includes s a ring detent engaging memberfitted into a mating groove, which constrained its radial motion. Thering detent engaging member is preferably hollow and cylindrical, butany hollow or solid ring geometry can be used depending on desiredlatching characteristics needed for a given application. Moreover, thering may be constructed of material different from the material used toconstruct the other components of the apparatus. This configuration ofthe extension/retraction apparatus includes an independent springelement and a sleeve hoop spring element instead to two sleeve hoopspring elements, where the independent spring element is constrainedradially. Thus, the radial cross-section of the independent springelement undergoes a major amount of the deformation during extension orretraction (motion in the axial direction) past a detent on the outersurface of the inner sleeve, while in the other configuration, thesleeve hoop spring element, the detents and the detent engaging members,both undergo deformation to allow extension or retraction of the innersleeve.

The present invention provides a method for downhole operation includingthe steps of connecting a tool or drill bit assembly to a drill string,where the distal end of the drill string includes a male or femaleconnector and a proximal end of the tool or the drill bit assemblyincludes a female or male connector, where the male connector includes adetent engaging member disposed on an inner surface of the maleconnector and the female connector includes a plurality of detentsdisposed on an outer surface of the female connector extending from theproximal end of the female connector toward a distal end of the tool orthe drill bit assembly, where the female connector is designed to beinserted into the male connector with sufficient force to push theengaging member over each of the plurality of detents.

The present invention provides a method for extending a telescopingassembly including the step of applying an external force sufficient toextend a telescoping assembly a desired amount, where the telescopingassembly includes a mount disposed in an aperture of a housing. An outersleeve is supported on the mount in the aperture and an inner sleeve ismounted within the outer sleeve, where the outer sleeve includes adetent engaging member disposed on an inner surface of the outer sleevenear a proximal end of the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve includes aplurality of detents disposed on an outer surface of the inner sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingdetailed description together with the appended illustrative drawings inwhich like elements are numbered the same:

FIGS. 1A & B depict two prior art radial locking devices;

FIGS. 2A-C depict three different preferred embodiment of a connectorassembly of this invention;

FIG. 3 depicts another preferred embodiment of a connector assembly ofthis invention including a separate detent engaging ring;

FIGS. 4A & B depict a preferred embodiment of an extension/retractionassembly of this invention having a single extendable sleeve in anon-extended and partially extended configuration, respectively;

FIGS. 5A & B depict another preferred embodiment of aextension/retraction assembly of this invention having two extendablesleeves and one detent engaging ring in a non-extended and partiallyextended configuration, respectively; and

FIGS. 6A & B depict another preferred embodiment of aextension/retraction assembly of this invention having three extendablesleeves; and

FIGS. 7A-F depict six preferred embodiment of sleeves and detents foruse in the connections and extension/retraction assemblies of thisinvention;

FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment showing the use of an interferencefit to provide resistance to extension when the telescoping assembly isexposed to a force.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The inventors have found that a new extension/retraction apparatus canbe constructed where the locking force is achieved via the interactionof sleeve deployed detents and detent engaging elements disposed onopposed surfaces of an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve or on opposedsurfaces of an outer sleeve and an outer sleeve mount. The apparatusextends or retracts in a ratchet-like motion in an axial or in and outdirection due to application of an external force acting on the proximalor distal end of the inner sleeve sufficient to step-wise extend orretract the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve. The ratchet-likemotion results from the interaction of detents or bumps on the outersurface of a sleeve and a detent engaging element on the inner surfaceof a second sleeve or a sleeve mounting assembly. The interactionbetween the detents and the detent engaging element cause the detentsand/or the detent engaging element to undergo radial expansion orcontraction as the element move past the detent in response to theapplication of an external force sufficient to move the element past thedetent. The load required to expand or contract either the detents orboth the detents and the detent engaging element will depend on a hoopspring rate of the detents and the element, a geometry of the elementand the detents such as an amount of radial deflection, a ramp angle,and an axial length, surface properties of the element and the detentssuch as finish, hardness, etc. and on material properties of the elementand detents such as elasticity, deformability, etc.

The present invention broadly relates of a new extension/retractionapparatus including a first member having a male connector and a secondmember having a female connector. The male connector is disposed at aproximal end portion of the first member and includes a detent engagingelement disposed radially on an inner surface of the male connector nearthe proximal end of the first member. The female connector is disposedat a distal end portion of the second member and includes a plurality ofdetents disposed on an inner surface thereof. The female connector isdesigned to be inserted into the male via the application of a force onthe first member, the second member or both members to push the elementon the male connector inner surface past successive detents on thefemale connector outer surface. If each detent is identical orsubstantially similar (within 5% of being identical), then the actuatingforce with be the same or similar, but if each detent has differentproperties, then the applied force will be different. Thus, as onestep-wise pushes the element past each detent, the force needed canstart off high and get easier, stay constant or start off low andincrease. Moreover, the male and female connectors can be straight ortapered allowing greater design flexibility and allowing greaterflexibility in locking strengths. The present invention also broadlyrelates to connecting or disconnecting a connection between the firstand second members via the application of an external force or a seriesof external force steps.

The present invention broadly relates of a telescoping apparatusincluding an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve mounted in an aperture ofa housing. The inner sleeve includes a plurality of detents disposed onits outer surface, while the outer sleeve includes a detent engagingelement disposed on its inner surface. The inner sleeve is designed tofit within the outer sleeve and the detents and element are designed topermit the inner sleeve to telescope in and out (extend or retract)relative to the outer sleeve and the housing. The apparatus may alsoinclude a second plurality of detents disposed on an outer surface ofthe outer sleeve and an outer sleeve mounting assembly disposed in theaperture of the housing, where the assembly includes a second detentengaging element. The second element and second plurality of detentspermits the outer sleeve to telescope in and out relative to thehousing, while the inner sleeve can telescope in and out relative to theouter sleeve. Moreover, the apparatus can include other sleeves andassociated element and detents to form a telescoping apparatus havingthree or more telescoping stages.

The present extension/retraction apparatus makes use of a natural springrate of a hoop direction of a tube to create a latching mechanism thatis much stiffer than a slotted geometry of a compression ring assemblyand, unlike the compression rings of the prior art, the apparatus ofthis invention is capable of forming a fluid tight seal providingconnections that be made that allow circulation of different fluidswithout fluid exchange. The present invention is ideally suited forconstructing telescoping apparatus for use in oil and gas drilling andproduction, such as telescoping apparatus deployed from a casing string.In this configuration, the apparatus includes an inner sleeve, an outersleeve and an outer sleeve mounting assembly deployed in an aperture inthe casing string. The fully retracted position is shown first, followedby the fully extended position. As internal pressure (pressure directedfrom left to right) is applied, the sleeves with detents are drivenoutward.

Suitable material out of which the components of this invention can bemade include, without limitation, metals, high performance plastics,hard rubber compounds, composites, or mixtures or combinations thereof.Exemplary metals include, without limitation, iron alloys, cobaltalloys, nickel alloys, copper alloys, or mixture or combinationsthereof. Exemplary high performance plastics including, withoutlimitation, polyolefins, epoxies, urethanes, thermal plastics, thermalplastic elastomers, polyamides, polyimides, acrylates, polyvinylchloride, or mixture or combinations thereof. Exemplary compositesinclude, without limitation, fiber reinforced polymers, carbon blackreinforced polymers, silica reinforced polymers, fiber reinforcedceramics or polymer/ceramic blends or mixture or combinations thereof.Exemplary polymers include, without limitation, thermal setting polymer,curing polymer systems, or mixtures or combinations thereof. Thermalsetting polymer includes, without limitation, phenol/formaldehyderesins, etc. Curing polymer systems include, without limitation, epoxyresins, urethane resins, silicon resins, aramide resins, elastomers, ormixture or combinations thereof.

The present invention also provides a telescoping apparatus including anouter sleeve having a reduced inner diameter (ID) to allow aninterference fit with an outer diameter (OD) of an inner sleeve. Alength of the reduced ID portion of the outer sleeve can vary. The ID ofouter sleeve can vary several times to form multiple steps as shown inFIG. 2A.

A telescoping apparatus as described in claim [0045], the outer sleevemay have a tapered ID, as described in Figure B.

A telescoping apparatus can have varying OD of the detents on the outersurface of the inner sleeve. This includes each detent has different ODsas shown in FIG. 1D and the OD of all detents is tapered, as shown inFIG. 2C.

A telescoping apparatus can have a cushion device installed on eitherouter surface of inner sleeve or inner ID of outer sleeve. The cushiondevice is between two shoulders of the inner sleeve and outer sleeve.The cushion device includes rubber ring, metal crush ring, spring,plastic ring or etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, two prior art radial springs,generally 100, are shown to include a tube 102 having a closed first end104 and closed second end 106 a as shown in FIG. 1A or an opened secondend 106 b as shown in FIG. 1B and a plurality of closed or openedaxially extending slots 108, where the spring 100 is contracted radiallyto produce a locking force and spring back when the no longer radiallyconstrained. While these devices provided for a resistance totelescoping and permitted telescoping action as the teeth 107 flexedradially as the tube 102 went past a detent, they presented operationalproblems in use. The use of thin members 105 on which teeth 107 weredisposed created problems as the members 105 would twist and snap orsimply fatigue from being radially displaced and fail. Anotherlimitation in using the designs of FIGS. 1A and 1B is that the openstructure using slots 108 did not allow for sealing between the tube 102and another tube (not shown) that surrounds it on which the detent thatinteracted with the teeth 107 was located.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-B, a preferred embodiment of a radial springconnector assembly of this invention, generally 200, is shown to includea first member 202 having a female connector 204 disposed on a distalend 206 thereof. The female connector 204 includes a detent engagingelement 208 extending inwardly from an inner surface 210 of the femaleconnector 204. The radial spring connector assembly 200 also includes asecond member 212 having a male connector 214 disposed on its proximalend 216. The male connector 214 includes a plurality of detents 218disposed on an outer surface 220 of the male connector 214. The maleconnector 214 is adapted to be inserted into the female connector 204with sufficient force to push the element 208 past one or more of theplurality of the detents 218. The locking force of the connection isdictated by geometry of the element 208 and the detents 218, theirsurface and material properties. Once engaged, the connection can bedisengaged by applying a force sufficient to the first or second memberwith the other fixed or applied oppositely to both to overcome thespring rate of the element-detent interaction. By changing the materialand geometry of the element 208 and the detents 218, the locking forceat each detent can be varied. Thus, each detent can have a differentspring rate based on its geometry, its surface and material properties.The male connector 214 can also and optionally include a radial stop 222adapted to engage the engaging element 208 and stop the extent to whichthe male connector 214 can be inserted into the female connector 204. InFIG. 2A, the engaging member 208 is square shaped, while in FIG. 2B, theengaging member 208 is trapezoidially shaped. One skilled in the artwill recognize that the engaging member shape will affect the lockingforce and the shapes of the engaging member and the detents control tosome extent the locking force of the connectors.

Referring now to FIGS. 2C, another preferred embodiment of a radialspring connector assembly of this invention, generally 200, is shown toinclude a first member 202 having a tapered female connector 204disposed on a distal end 206 thereof. The female connector 204 includesa first plurality of detents 208 extending downwardly from an innersurface 210 of the female connector 204. The radial spring connectorassembly 200 also includes a second member 212 having a tapered maleconnector 214 disposed on its proximal end 216. The male connector 214includes a second plurality of detents 218 disposed on an outer surface220 of the male connector 214. The male connector 214 is adapted to beinserted into the female connector 204 with sufficient force to push theeach successive first detents 208 past each successive second thedetents 218. The locking force of the connection is dictated by geometryof the detents 208 and the detents 218, their surface and materialproperties. Once engaged, the connection can be disengaged by applying aforce sufficient to the first or second member with the other fixed orapplied oppositely to both to overcome the spring rate of theelement-detent interaction. By changing the material and geometry of thefirst detents 208 and the second detents 218, the locking force at eachdetent can be varied. Thus, each detent can have a different spring ratebased on its geometry, its surface and material properties.

Referring now to FIG. 3, another preferred embodiment of a radial springconnector assembly of this invention, generally 300, is shown to includea first member 302 having a female connector 304 disposed on a distalend 306 thereof. The female connector 304 includes a detent engagingassembly 308 including two restraints 310 extending inwardly from aninner surface 312 of the female connector 304 and a detent engaging ring314 disposed between the two restraints 310 so that the restraints 310radially constraint the ring 314. The ring 314 also extends inwardlyfrom the inner surface 312 of the female connector 304. The radialspring connector assembly 300 also includes a second member 316 having amale connector 318 disposed on its proximal end 320. The male connector316 includes a plurality of detents 322 disposed on an outer surface 324of the male connector 316. The male connector 316 is adapted to beinserted into the female connector 304 with sufficient force to push thering 314 past one or more of the plurality of the detents 322. Thelocking force of the connection is dictated by geometry of the ring 314and the detents 322, their surface and material properties. Onceengaged, the connection can be disengaged by applying a force sufficientto the first or second member with the other fixed or applied oppositelyto both to overcome the spring rate of the element-detent interaction.By changing the material and geometry of the ring 314 and the detents322, the locking force at each detent can be varied. Thus, each detentcan have a different spring rate based on its geometry, its surface andmaterial properties. The male connector 316 can also and optionallyinclude a stop 326 adapted to engage the ring 314 and stop the extent towhich the male connector 316 can be inserted into the female connector304.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-B, a preferred embodiment of anextension/retraction apparatus of this invention, generally 400, isshown in its contracted state and in a partially extended state,respectively. The apparatus 400 includes a housing 402 including anaperture 404 having mounted therein a mount 406 supporting anextension/retraction spring locking assembly 408. The assembly 408includes an outer sleeve 410 disposed on the mount 406. The outer sleeve410 also includes a detent engaging element 412 extending downwardlyfrom an inner surface 414 of the outer sleeve 410. The assembly 408 alsoincludes an inner sleeve 416 mounted within the outer sleeve 410, wherethe inner sleeve 416 includes a stop 418 disposed on an outer surface420 of the inner sleeve 416 near a proximal end 422 of the inner sleeve416 and a plurality of spaced apart radial detents 424 disposed on theouter surface 420 of the inner sleeve 416 extending from at or near adistal end 426 to the stop 418 of the inner sleeve 416. The inner sleeve416 is designed to stepwise extend out from the outer sleeve 410 assufficient force is applied to the proximal end 422 of the inner sleeve416 to push the engaging element 412 past one or more of the spacedapart detents 424. The inner sleeve 416 can be retracted by applying asufficient force to the distal end 426 to push the engaging member 412back past one or more of the spaced apart radial detents 424. Theapparatus 400 can also includes o-rings 428 situated within an o-ringgroove 430. Although o-rings in grooves are recited as the preferredembodiment, such a reference to o-rings is intended to encompass allequivalent seal assemblies.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-B, another preferred embodiment of anextension/retraction apparatus of this invention, generally 500, isshown in its contracted state and in a partially extended state. Theapparatus 500 includes a housing 502 including an aperture 504 havingmounted therein an outer sleeve support 506 supporting anextension/retraction spring locking assembly 508. The assembly 508includes an outer sleeve 510 mounted on the support 506. The outersleeve 510 includes a proximal end 512, a first stop 514 and a firstplurality of spaced apart radial detents 516 disposed on an outersurface 518 of the outer sleeve 510 and extending from the first stop514 to a distal end 520 of the outer sleeve 510. The distal end 520 alsoincludes a distal end stop 521. The support 506 includes a first detentengaging element 522 extending inwardly from an inner surface 524 of thesupport 506 designed to engage the first plurality of spaced apartradial detents 518. The outer sleeve 510 also includes a detent engagingring 526 extending inwardly from an inner surface 528 of the outersleeve 510 and radially confined with in a ring groove 527.

The assembly 508 also includes an inner sleeve 530 mounted within theouter sleeve 510, where the inner sleeve 530 includes a second stop 532disposed on an outer surface 534 of the inner sleeve 530 near a proximalend 536 of the inner sleeve 530 and a second plurality of spaced apartradial detents 538 disposed on the outer surface 534 of the inner sleeve530 extending from at or near a distal end 540 to the second stop 532 ofthe inner sleeve 530. The distal end 540 also includes a distal end stop541. The inner sleeve 530 is designed to stepwise extend out from theouter sleeve 510 as sufficient force is applied to the proximal end 536of the inner sleeve 530 to push the second engaging element 526 past oneor more of the spaced apart detents 538. The inner sleeve 530 can beretracted by applying a sufficient force to the distal end 540 to pushthe second engaging member 526 back past one or more of the spaced apartdetents 538. The outer sleeve 510 is designed to stepwise extent outfrom the support 506 as sufficient force is applied to the proximal end514 of the outer sleeve 510 to push the first engaging element 522 pastone or more of the first spaced apart detents 518, while the process canbe retracted by pushing against the distal end of the outer sleeve 510.The apparatus 500 can also includes o-rings 542 situated within ano-ring groove 544.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-B, another preferred embodiment of anextension/retraction apparatus of this invention, generally 600, isshown in its contracted state and in a partially extended state. Theapparatus 600 includes a housing 602 including an aperture 604 havingmounted therein an outer sleeve support 606 supporting anextension/retraction spring locking assembly 608.

The assembly 608 includes a first sleeve 610 mounted on the support 606.The first sleeve 610 includes a first stop 612 and a proximal end 614,where the stop 612 is disposed of an outer surface 616 of the firstsleeve 612 and a first plurality of spaced apart radial detents 618 arealso disposed on the outer surface 616 of the first sleeve 610 andextend from the first stop 612 to a distal end 620 of the first sleeve610. The distal end 620 includes a distal end stop 621.

The support 606 includes a first detent engaging element 622 extendingdownwardly from an inner surface 624 of the support 606 designed toengage the first plurality of spaced apart detents 618 disposed on theouter surface 616 of the first sleeve 610. The first sleeve 610 alsoincludes a second detent engaging member 626 extending downwardly froman inner surface 628 of the first sleeve 610.

The assembly 608 also includes a second sleeve 630 mounted within thefirst sleeve 610, where the second sleeve 630 includes a second stop 632and an outer surface 634 and a proximal end 636 and a second pluralityof spaced apart radial detents 638 disposed on the outer surface 634 ofthe second sleeve 630 extending from at or near a distal end 640 to thesecond stop 632 of the second sleeve 630. The distal end 640 includes adistal end stop 641.

The assembly 608 also includes a third sleeve 642 mounted within thesecond sleeve 630, where the third sleeve 642 includes a third stop 644and an outer surface 646 and a proximal end 648 and a third plurality ofspaced apart detents 650 disposed on the outer surface 646 of the thirdsleeve 642 extending from at or near a distal end 652 to the third stop644 of the third sleeve 642. The second sleeve 642 also includes a thirddetent engaging member 654 extending downwardly from an inner surface656 of the second sleeve 642. The distal end 652 includes a distal endstop 653.

The assembly 608 is capable of extending in a three step process. First,the third sleeve 642 is designed to stepwise extend out from the secondsleeve 630 as sufficient force is applied to the proximal end 648 of thethird sleeve 642 to push the third engaging member 654 past one or moreof the spaced apart third detents 650. The third sleeve 642 can beretracted by applying a sufficient force to the distal end 652 to pushthe third engaging member 654 back past one or more of the spaced apartthird detents 650.

Second, the second sleeve 630 is designed to stepwise extend out fromthe first sleeve 610 as sufficient force is applied to the proximal end636 of the second sleeve 630 to push the second engaging member 626 pastone or more of the spaced apart second detents 638. The second sleeve630 can be retracted by applying a sufficient force to the distal end640 to push the second engaging member 626 back past one or more of thespaced apart detents 638.

Third, the first sleeve 610 is designed to stepwise extent out from thesupport 606 as sufficient force is applied to the proximal end 614 ofthe first sleeve 610 to push the first engaging member 622 past one ormore of the first spaced apart detents 618, while the process can beretracted by pushing against the distal end of the first sleeve 610. Theapparatus also includes three O-rings 658, 660 and 662.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-F, other variation of the form of the sleevesused in the extension/retraction apparatuses of this invention,generally 700, are shown. Looking at FIG. 7A, a sleeve 702 having areduced inner diameter section 704 is shown. Looking at FIG. 7B, asleeve 702 having a tapered inner diameter section 706 is shown. Lookingat FIG. 7C, a sleeve 702 having a stepped reduced inner diameter section708 is shown. Looking at FIG. 7D, a sleeve assembly 710 including acushion 712 is shown. Annular space 720 can retain grease or some otherviscous fluid as sleeve 722 gets pushed with respect to sleeve 724. Suchrelative movement decreases the volume of space 720 and tends to ejectthe grease, viscous fluid or simply some sort of hydraulic fluid throughan opening 726 that can be a drilled hole or holes or an opening with aremovable orifice installed in it. The size of the opening and theproperties of the fluid being pushed through the opening 726 acts as aregulator of the rate of movement of sleeve 722 and cushions the impactof cushion 712 against the stop 728 on full extension. Looking at FIG.7E, a sleeve 702 having detents 714 of varying height are shown. Lookingat FIG. 7F, a sleeve 702 is shown having tapered detents 716. FIG. 8shows a stationary sleeve 800 surrounding a movable sleeve 802. Inbetween is a surface roughness 803 that can be on either sleeve 800 or802 or, alternatively, both. Sleeve 802 has a shoulder 804 thateventually contacts stop surface 806 after enough pressure is developedon breakable barrier 808, which can be a rupture disc or equivalent.Preferably the fit between sleeves 800 and 802 is an interference fitwhich when coupled with the roughness 803, which can be random or anordered pattern, regulates the extension rate of the sleeve 802. Seal810 seals between the relatively moving sleeves 800 and 802 such thatwhen barrier 808 breaks a fluid path without leaks is provided. In oneapplication sleeve 800 can be attached to casing and sleeve 802 canextend into a surrounding formation to allow the formation to beproduced through passage 812, which can also contain a screen 814. Inthis manner the formation can be produced without perforation throughthe casing and without having a need to gravel pack. Additionally, thesealing between the sleeves 800 and 802 further keeps out any cementingin the surrounding annulus outside a casing that goes on after extensionof sleeve 802 from sleeve 800 that is attached to the casing.

It should be recognized that the force needed to extend or retract eachof the sleeves in a multi-sleeve telescoping assembly can be adjusted sothat each sleeve extends upon the application of a different force.Thus, the first or outer most sleeve can extend first, followed by eachof the inner sleeves, or conversely, the inner most sleeve can extendfirst, followed by each of the outer sleeves. The load required to moveone sleeve relative to the other and the outer most sleeve relative tothe support can be varied by changing the design characteristics andmaterial properties of the stops and the detents.

The multi-moveable sleeve extension/retraction apparatuses of thisinvention include sleeves having detents or bumps that require radialexpansion or contraction to activate. The load required to expand orcontract the rings depends on a hoop spring rate of the tubular rings aswell as the geometry of the detents and the stops such as their amountof radial deflection, their ramp angle, and their axial lengths, and onthe detents and stops surface properties, e.g., finish, hardness, etc.,and the detents and stops material properties, e.g., modulus ofelasticity, deformability, flowability, etc. The figures showapparatuses of this invention having two or three shifting sleeves, butany number of sleeves may be used to achieve greater telescopic reach,if so desired. Also, the number of detents that set the position isshown as singular to optimize stroke, but any multiple could be used forimproved position retention. Finally, the number of detents and theirpositions and the stop configuration operate to define strength, stroke,and load requirements for a given apparatus and these characteristicscan be varied to the application at hand.

In the case that the housing is a casing segment, as internal pressureis applied against the proximal ends of the sleeves of theextension/retraction assembly, i.e., pressure directed to extend thesleeve, is applied, the moveable sleeves ratchet outward. Again, thesleeve extension pressures can be varied so that the inner most sleevemove first or the outer most sleeve moves first. Alternatively, thesleeve may have the same extension force requirements, which means thatthe extension will be distributed randomly across all moveable sleevesuntil the distal end of the entire assembly contacts a hard surface suchas the borehole surface.

The alternative approach of FIG. 6, which also uses the same basicprincipals of extension and retraction, utilized a ring instead of astop as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This preferred design can providegreater flexibility for varying and setting a desired load to activatethe mechanism and provides another means for final assembly. Thisapproach uses a split-ring fitted into a mating groove, which radiallyconstrains the ring. The cross-section of the ring shown in the FIG. 6is a hollow cylinder, but any hollow or solid ring or any desiredgeometrical configuration may be used as well. The material propertiesand the geometrical configuration of the ring determine the desiredlatching properties. Additionally, the rings and detents can beconstructed out of different materials to control locking properties.Any metal, high performance plastic, or hard rubber compound may beemployed and this provides yet another means to change the loadingcharacteristics.

While we have attempted to describe the invention as it relates to thetelescoping sleeves assemblies and the connectors described above, itshould be understood that there are many types of devices used inoilfield operations that could benefit from these types of devices. Thepresent connectors or telescoping assemblies can be used in almost anytool or device that currently uses shear screws, shear wires and thelike. Some examples include packer setting tools, circulation sleeves,ball seats, and shear-out subs. Other examples of equipment that usespring collets include latching seal assemblies, indicating subs, andtool retrieving heads. Another method of the invention is to design thedetents such that they ensure mechanical failure of the two latched toolsegments. This would be of particular use to replace a shear-out safetyjoint commonly used on gravel pack screens. Because these types ofapplications require two segments to be joined together and parted once,the detents are only required for a one time use.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the applications for theinvention are broad, as stated above. A particular advantage is theability to have relative movement between nested sleeves whilecontrolling its rate and limiting maximum travel while also being ableto provide a dynamic seal between the members as they move relatively.The rate regulation can be done in a variety of ways that include a rowof protrusions running over a detent with such motion being madepossible by radial flexing of one of the members. The rate of travel canbe regulated by displacing substances from a variable volume cavity asrelative movement occurs. These substances can be grease or viscousfluids that are displaced through an orifice during the relativemovement. Alternatively, surface roughness between relatively movingsurfaces can regulate the rate of extension. Bumpers or cushions can beused to reduce shock at the extremes of the relative movement rangeeither in extension or contraction. Locking mechanisms are contemplatedso that, for example, upon reaching any level of extension or fullextension, movement in the opposed direction is prevented.Alternatively, extension and retraction can be accomplished with theseries of protrusions riding over a detent. One application of theinvention is for telescoping assemblies that can be mounted on a tubularand that define a passage that is temporarily closed such as with arupture disc or an equivalent temporary barrier that is sensitive towell conditions to allow access to the passage after the neededextension. The tubular is positioned downhole and pressure is exerted tocreate the telescoping motion and at the same time open the passagethrough the telescoping members. The extension of the telescopingmembers to the borehole wall takes away the need to perforate or gravelpack before the formation can be produced through the extendedtelescoping members. Different telescoping assemblies can extenddifferent amounts to contact an irregular open hole shape so that theextension continues until the borehole wall is reached or the limit ofextension is reached, whichever comes first. A production string andpacker allows the formation to be produced to the surface. Thetelescoping assemblies can be locked at whatever extension they wind upaccomplishing as determined by the shape of the open hole.

All references cited herein are incorporated by reference. Although theinvention has been disclosed with reference to its preferredembodiments, from reading this description those of skill in the art mayappreciate changes and modification that may be made which do not departfrom the scope and spirit of the invention as described above andclaimed hereafter.

1. A method for downhole operation comprising the steps of: connecting atool or drill bit assembly to a string, where the distal end of thestring includes a male or female connector and a proximal end of thetool or the drill bit assembly includes a female or male connector,where the male connector includes a rigidly mounted cantilevered detentengaging member disposed on an outer surface of the male connector andthe female connector includes a plurality of detents disposed on aninner surface of the female connector extending from the proximal end ofthe female connector toward a distal end of the tool or the drill bitassembly, where the male connector is designed to be inserted into thefemale connector with sufficient force to push the engaging member overeach of the plurality of detents.
 2. The method of claim 1, comprising:running the tool or drill assembly bit to a subterranean location; andoperating the tool or drill bit assembly at the subterranean location.3. The method of claim 1, comprising: performing said connecting at thesubterranean location.
 4. The method of claim 3, comprising: removingthe tool or drill assembly bit from the subterranean location after saidconnecting.
 5. The method of claim 1, comprising: providing a rigidlymounted cantilevered detent engaging element disposed radially on anouter surface of said male connector; and providing a plurality ofdetents disposed on an inner surface of said female connector,relatively moving said connectors in response to internal force orpressure provided through said string; moving said element of said maleconnector to engage the plurality of detents of the said femaleconnector in a step-wise fashion with application of pressure or forcefrom said string applied to at least one of said connectors.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, comprising: making the detents are identical orsubstantially similar so that the actuating force associated with eachdetent is the same or substantially similar.
 7. The method of claim 5,comprising: making a line along the peaks of said plurality of detentstapered with respect to a centerline of said female connector.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, comprising: providing at least one wall opening insaid string; providing a telescoping assembly supported in said openingcomprising a stationary member and at least one relatively movablemember, said members defining a passage therethrough and said movablemember defining a distal end of said passage; providing a series ofdiffering projections mounted to one of the stationary member and saidmovable member that ride over a rigidly mounted cantilevered detent onthe other of said stationary member and said movable member as relativemovement between said members occurs in response to a varied appliedforce; providing a seal between said members so that said passage issealed between the tubular wall and its distal end by said seal duringsaid relative movement.
 9. The method of claim 8, comprising: providinga regulation device to control the rate of movement between saidstationary and said relatively movable member.
 10. The method of claim9, wherein: providing said regulation device by flexing of one of saidmembers radially toward or away from the other of said members asrelative longitudinal movement between them occurs.
 11. The method ofclaim 9, wherein: providing in said regulation device a variable volumecavity between said members that contains a material that is displacedas the volume of said cavity decreases during said relative movement.12. The method of claim 11, wherein: displacing said material though anorifice.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein: providing as saidregulation device a surface roughness between said members.
 14. Themethod of claim 9, wherein: providing as said regulation device aninterference fit between said members.
 15. The method of claim 10,further comprising: providing a ratchet mechanism that allowslongitudinal movement in only one direction.
 16. The method of claim 10,further comprising: providing a travel stop to limit longitudinalmovement in at least one direction.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising: providing a cushion mounted to one of said members tocushion impact against said travel stop.
 18. The method of claim 10,further comprising: providing a removable barrier in said passage to aidin creating said longitudinal movement responsive to an appliedpressure; removing said barrier upon occurrence of said longitudinalmovement.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: progressivelysizing of said projections that engage said detent larger to change theforce required for longitudinal movement throughout the available rangeof movement.
 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising: providingtapers that engage each other between said members to act as said travelstop.